European Journal of Medicinal

31(1): 17-23, 2020; Article no.EJMP.54785 ISSN: 2231-0894, NLM ID: 101583475

Ethnomedicinal Information of Selected Members of with Special Reference to Kerala State

Rani Joseph1* and Scaria K. Varghese1

1Department of Botany, St. Berchmans College, Changanassery, Kottayam, Kerala, 686101, .

Authors’ contributions

This work was carried out in collaboration between both authors. Author RJ designed the study, performed the statistical analysis, wrote the protocol and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author SKV managed the analyses of the study and the literature searches. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Article information

DOI: 10.9734/EJMP/2020/v31i130201 Editor(s): (1) Francisco Cruz-Sosa, Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Metropolitan Autonomous University, Iztapalapa Campus Av. San Rafael Atlixco, México. (2) Prof. Marcello Iriti, Professor of Biology and Pathology, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Milan State University, Italy. Reviewers: (1) Francisco José Queiroz Monte, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brasil. (2) Aba-Toumnou Lucie, University of Bangui, Central African Republic. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/54785

Received 09 December 2019 Accepted 13 February 2020 Original Research Article Published 15 February 2020

ABSTRACT

An ethnobotanical exploration of selected Vitaceae members of Kerala state was conducted from September 2014 to December 2018. During the ethnobotanical surveys, personal interviews were conducted with herbal medicine practitioners, traditional healers, elder tribal people and village dwellers. Field studies were conducted at regular intervals in various seasons in different regions of Kerala. Some of the belonging Vitaceae have ethnomedicinal significance stated by herbal medicine practitioners and elder tribal persons. It is an urgent need for documenting these peculiar plant before such valuable knowledge becomes inaccessible and extinct.

Keywords: Ethnomedicine; Kerala; traditional healers; Vitaceae.

1. INTRODUCTION conditions. It has been estimated that out of 15000 higher plants occurring in India, of which India is rich in medicinal plants covering an 7500 are medicinally important. There are about extensive area with varying environmental 2500 plant species that have documented ______

*Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected];

Joseph and Varghese; EJMP, 31(1): 17-23, 2020; Article no.EJMP.54785

Fig. 1. Study area-Kerala medicinal value, most of which grow in wild knowledge from tribal communities is most conditions, whereas only a few are cultivated [1]. important for future clinical studies leading to The traditional use of medicinal plants has been sustainable utilization of natural resources and to an ancient practice among human populations face the challenges of biopiracy and patenting for a long time with traditional knowledge or indigenous and traditional knowledge by others. information being transferred from generation to Besides the best of our knowledge, no generation. Ethnomedicinal surveys are ethnobotanical work of Vitaceae has been conducted to document the practice of herbal carried out in this area. Keeping these things in medicine among rural and ethnic communities. mind present study was proposed to document Such significant ethnobotanical surveys have ethnomedicinal knowledge of traditional healers gained interest among researchers for in Kerala, India. highlighting important plant species commonly used in various systems of healthcare. Vitaceae 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS members are identified as the most important ethnobotanical species and so suggested for 2.1 Study Area further evaluation to validate them scientifically and hence to use them as a source of The ethnobotanical study mainly focused on wild pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, validation plants of Vitaceae used by tribes in Kerala for of medicinal plants, prescribed by the tribal various medicinal purposes through communities and local healers is getting more questionnaires and consultations with very old interest among the researchers of plant-based and knowledgeable tribals. Of the collected drugs in recent years [2]. Therefore, it is urgent plants, twelve species are medicinal. The to explore and document this unique traditional detailed investigation underlines the potential of knowledge of the tribals, before it diminishes with ethnobotanical research and needs to document the knowledgeable persons. Further, traditional knowledge about the use of medicinal documentation of indigenous and traditional plants for the greater benefit of mankind.

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2.2 Data Collection processed, identified systematically and the names were confirmed with the help of standard Field trips ranging from five days in every month flora. of the year of the study. The interviews were conducted in the local language Malayalam. 2.4 Statistics Ethnomedicinal information included with the local name of the particular plant, parts used, The data statistics were done by using the medicinal uses, and methods of preparation and statistical softwarte to evaluate the univariate as mode of administration. The collected well as multivariate statistical analysis. ethnomedicinal information was recorded on field notebooks and plants were identified by using 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION the Flora of the Presidency of Madras [3] and Flowering Plants of Kerala [4] etc. The The present study revealed that the tribes of information was collected from the informants Kerala were using twelve species of medicinally through semi-structured open-ended interviews important plants belonging to this family were with questionnaires. The medicinal plants used categorized into different groups. They are by village people, tribes are arranged shrubs, climbers, etc. These plant species were alphabetically. The consent of the tribals was documented in this study to be used by the tribal taken to share their vast knowledge about community for curing different ailments. Most Vitaceae members, they use to cure various medicinal plants even today are collected from diseases and then their experience in the field of the forest [5]. The continued commercial treatment, causes and symptoms of the ailments exploitation of these plants has destroyed many they treat, average number of patients they treat species in their natural habitat. per year, parts of the plants used and other Traditional healers are using these plants to cure components added during the combination drug diseases related to stomach pain, skin diseases, formulations were noted down. This work is snakebites, wounds, cough, and cold, diabetes, mainly based on the documentation of asthma and worms [6]. The plant material is ethnomedicinal, domestic and cultural utilization employed in the form of decoctions, extracts, of some plants by the Kerala state. Field trips pastes, juice, powder and sometimes in were made to villages within the study area. combination with other parts of the same or Information regarding the common and other different plants. During the survey, it was also uses of some plant species for various learned that traditional knowledge regarding ethnomedicinal and cultural purposes was also ethnomedicine is declining as there is no proper investigated. The vernacular name of the documentation. The knowledge is passed down described species was also of interest. Standard from generation to generation only through kinds of literature and floras were consulted for verbal communication. The blooming of the their correct identification. The data obtained traditional medicine industry results in increasing were organized and tabulated showing botanical demand for medicinal plant products. Tribals of names, common names, vernacular or tribal Kerala use Vitaceae members for various names, uses and plant parts used. diseases. This work is mainly to protect our Ethnomedicinal information was gathered from future planet and generation there is a need to all categories of traditional vaidyas, local healers, document this vital information and also create elder persons and the person having a thorough awareness for the biodiversity conservation of knowledge of traditional practices. The this particular area and the proper use of this ethnobotanical information of Vitaceae gathered flora. The diverse pattern of different parts of from one place was confirmed by different medicinal plants reflected greater possession of communities of village people and tribals in indigenous knowledge regarding their healthcare different ethnic groups in different places of practices by the people. investigation. The survey revealed that tribal people used 2.3 Plant Material various parts of the plants as ethnomedicines. Most of the medicinal plant parts are consumed All the Vitaceae members collected from the field after processes like macerating, squeezing, are at the reproductive stage. A field sheet was grinding, blending, soaking or boiling and some recorded with the collector's name, vernacular of them are taken as raw. Some plants are name, local name, and other parameters. The applied externally to different body parts for cuts prepared herbarium specimens were dried, and wounds, scabies, joint pain, piles, skin

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Joseph and Varghese; EJMP, 31(1): 17-23, 2020; Article no.EJMP.54785

diseases and so forth. Different types of Tribals of Kerala used one or more medicinal preparations were made from ethnomedicinal plant parts for the preparation of medicine in the important plants include decoction, arishtam, treatment of single or multiple ailments [7]. powder, oil, paste, and whole plant extract. Some quadrangularis the most commonly used of the species were even used in more than one medicinal plant it was attributed to its use in the form of preparation. In this leaves and stem are treatment of various diseases [8]. It is a plant the predominant plant part utilized in with medicinal properties useful in helminthiasis, ethnomedicinal treatments. Most of the edible anorexia, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, skin parts used as the leaf, shoot, fruit, etc. Some of diseases, leprosy, hemorrhage, tumors, chronic the plant parts are directly consumed as fresh. ulcers, and swellings. Tribal groups of Kerala like We have concentrated on the major recovery of Malayarayan, Ulladans are use roots and stem of identifying the plant species having varied local Cissus repanda. During summer some of the names and their ethnomedicinal uses were local people suck the juice of the stem. The recorded and listed (Table 1). crushed root of this plant is applied to scorpion

Fig. 2. (A) Vitis vinifera, (B) pedata, (C) Cissus discolour, (D) indica, (E) Cissus latifolia (F), Ampelocissus latifolia

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Joseph and Varghese; EJMP, 31(1): 17-23, 2020; Article no.EJMP.54785

rhizome 2% 5% 10% root

stem

10% leaves 5%

flowers

10% fruit

Fig. 3. Ethnomedicinal plants-useful parts

Table 1. Ethnomedicinal information

Sl. no Habit Local name Plant parts Ethnomedicinal used uses 1 Cissus Climber Changalamparanda Stem Rheumatism, quadrangularis Snake bite, Joint pain,bone fractures 2 Cissus trilobata Scandent Neelachunnambuvalli Leaves Wounds, Cuts shrub 3 Cissus discolour Climber Aronpuli Leaves Stomach troubles, itching sores 4 Cissus repanda Climber Panibel Roots and Bone fractures, Stem cuts, boils 5 Climber Njarala Roots, Stem Snakebite, rheumatic pain 6 Tettrastigma Climber Seenkaikodi Leaves Treatment of leucostaphylllum scabies, boils 7 Tetrastigma Climbing Palakavalli Leaves Treatment of sulcatum shrub fungal diseases 8 Vitis vinifera Climber Munthiri Fruit Indigestion, Immunity modulator 9 Ampelocissus Climber Valiyapirappitikka Rhizome Kidney, heart latifolia diseases, diabetes 10 Ampelocissus Climber Chembaravalli Fruit Anti-inflammatory, indica diuretic 11 Cayratia pedata Climber Velutta sorivalli Leaves Wounds,scabies 12 Climber Chorivalli Roots Ulcer sting to relieve pains. Paste prepared from the curing agent for many major ailments such as leaf is applied to affected areas to treat bone jaundice, ulcer, fever, etc. Cayratia pedata and fracture. The data analysis shows that tribals of Ophiorrhiza mungos are especially Kerala possess a tremendous knowledge of recommended for various forms of tumors. ethnomedicinal plants. A total of twelve plants Cayratia pedata is an indigenous endangered belongs to this grape family have been recorded medicinal herb of south India belonging to the in the study area. Cayratia pedata found to be a family Vitaceae. Traditionally, the leaves of this

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plant have been used as a dietary ingredient in contributes to the preservation and enrichment of the treatment of ulcers and diarrhoea. In the gene bank of such ethnomedicinally Ayurveda the extract from Cayratia pedata is important species before they lost forever. The used to prepare formulations prescribed to treat observations of the present study showed that microbial infections, ulcers, inflammations and traditional medicine plays a very key role among arthritis [9] Cissus discolour plant paste is mixed the local healers in Kerala. with egg white is applied to the affected portion in the treatment of fractures mainly by Kurichia CONSENT AND ETHICAL APPROVAL tribes of Wayanad. Dried fruits of Vitis vinifera roasted and salted and taken with milk cures It is not applicable. stomachache [10]. Crushed plant parts of Tetrastigma leucostaphyllum with castor oil ACKNOWLEDGEMENT applied overboils. Paste of the plant Cissus We especially thank all tribal groups of Kerala repens is applied to sloughing and fetid who voluntarily shared a wealth of their ulcerations, also to boils and small abscess as a accumulated knowledge regarding the maturant. Paste of the roots of Ampelocissus ethnomedical practices of their communities and latifolia, in little amount of water is used twice for their hospitality. Also, we thank members of daily to cure hair loss. Ampelocissus lindica, Botany Department, St.Berchmans College, traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory Changancherry for their tireless support towards medicinal plant. It also shows diuretic activity. the success of this study. Cayratia trifolia, whole plant is used as diuretic and astringent and is also useful in tumors, COMPETING INTERESTS neuralgia, splenopathy and treatment of leucorrhea. Leaf, root and seeds are Authors have declared that no competing also used as poultice to ulcers. Ampelocissus interests exist. arnottiana is common among sacred groves in Kerala [11]. The plant paste mixed with coconut REFERENCES oil, is employed as a depurative, aperient and diuretic, and to treat eye diseases and ulcers. 1. Jain SK. Dictionary of Indian folk medicine and ethnobotany. Deep Publications; 1991. 4. CONCLUSION 2. Parthasarathy J. Nilgiri tribes towards plantation economy. The Planters Traditional tribal knowledge of ethnomedicinal Chronicle (KVK Special) UPASI: Coonoor; plants in most of the tribal communities is 1995. changing because of rapid socio-economic and 3. Gamble JS. The flora of the presidency of cultural changes. Documentation of this vast Madras; 1935. knowledge is extremely valuable for the 4. Sasidharan N. Biodiversity documentation communities for their future generations and for for Kerala Part 6: Flowering Plants. Kerala scientific consideration of wider uses of Forest Research Institute, Peechi; 2011. traditional knowledge in treating various 5. Anonymous Ethnobotany in India, all India diseases. This ethnobotanical survey in Kerala coordinated research projects in revealed that there are medicinal plant species Ethnobotany. Ministry of Environment, that make a significant contribution to the healing Forests, Government of India; 1994. of diseases of rural communities. The cheap cost 6. Jain SK. Ethnobiology in human welfare. and almost no side effects of these traditional Deep publications; 1996. medicinal preparations with these plants make 7. Sarin Y. Illustrated manual of herbal drugs them adaptable by the local communities of used in Ayurveda. Joint publication of Kerala. The richness of this traditional knowledge Council of Scientific and Industrial of medicinal plants points to great potential for Research & Indian Council of Medical future research and the discovery of new potent Research; 1996. drugs to cure the diseases. So further scientific 8. Sasidharan N, Augustine J. Ethnobotany of assessment of these medicines for the tribes living in and around the phytochemical and clinical studies was also Periyar tiger reserve South Western needed. The main ethnobotanical information Ghats India. J Econ Taxon Bot. 2006;30: from tribal groups of Kerala, the significant cause 45-58. of plant extinction is mainly due to the 9. Aswathy TR, Gayathri E, Praveen J, overexploitation of plants. This study also Pradeepa P, Nair AS, Sugunan VS. DNA

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barcoding of endangered medicinal plant 10. Valvi SR, Deshmukh SR, Rathod VS. Cayratia pedata [Abstract]. In: Abstracts of Ethnobotanical survey of wild edible fruits the NGBT conference. Bhubaneswar, in Kolhapur District. IJABPT. 2011;2:194- Odisha, India: Can J Biotech. 2017;1(1): 197. 189. 11. Brown CH. Mode of subsistence and folk Available:https://doi.org/10.24870/cjb.2017 biological . Current Anthropology; -a175 1985. ______© 2020 Joseph and Varghese; This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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